Desiccated coconuts market in Dominican Republic

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the desiccated coconut market in the Dominican Republic faced structural constraints due to aging coconut plantations, which limited production capacity and created a gap between supply and growing demand. The presence of established processors like PROFRUVECA, a pioneer in continuous coconut dehydration, supported the domestic supply chain. Market volume grew moderately, reaching 31 743 t by 2020, as imports began to increase to meet demand.

A significant expansion occurred in 2021-2022, with market volume surging to over 50 000 t. This growth was primarily driven by adverse weather conditions in previous years, which constrained local coconut harvests and led to a sustained shortage in supply. To bridge this gap, imports rose sharply, compensating for the slow annual production growth of around 2%. The government's National Plan for the Relaunch of the Coconut Sector, initiated to improve growers' livelihoods and boost the industry's potential, provided additional momentum during this period.

By 2023, market volume adjusted to 39 193 t. The state-owned FEDA (Special Fund for Agricultural Development) executed a national plan involving substantial investment to plant new coconut areas and satisfy rising local and international demand, fueled by growing consumer preference for coconut's nutritional benefits. However, persistent challenges—including aging plantations, phytosanitary issues, and continued weather-related supply instability—limited production growth and contributed to a reduction in imports, leading to the market's contraction from its 2022 peak.

Production desiccated coconuts in Dominican Republic

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the Dominican Republic maintained the 6th position globally in terms of desiccated coconut production volume.

Top producers of desiccated coconuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of desiccated coconuts, 2017-2020

In 2020, the Dominican Republic produced 27 992 tonnes of desiccated coconuts, showing minimal change from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 16.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 27 992 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 13.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Dominican Republic in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The Dominican Republic's desiccated coconut production value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 18 298 thousand US dollars, marking a 10.5% year-over-year rise. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 30.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 9.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Dominican Republic in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports desiccated coconuts from Dominican Republic

Exports in kind, t

The Dominican Republic's desiccated coconut exports declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 11 808 tonnes, representing a significant 17.1% decrease from 2019. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 17 715 tonnes. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 19.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 48.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Dominican Republic in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States and Haiti consistently represented 85.6% of total desiccated coconut exports by volume, indicating a highly concentrated market with numerous smaller destinations making up the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Dominican Republic in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Desiccated coconut shipments from the Dominican Republic declined in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 7 718 thousand US dollars, reflecting a modest 8.4% contraction compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value increased by 10.9%, equating to a 3.5% annualized growth rate. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 10 192 thousand US dollars. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 17.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 46.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Dominican Republic in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Haiti were the dominant buyers of desiccated coconuts from the Dominican Republic, together accounting for 85.7% of total export value, with other destinations each holding relatively small shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Dominican Republic in value, 2017-2020

Imports desiccated coconuts to Dominican Republic

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, the Dominican Republic's desiccated coconut import volume increased. In 2020, imports reached 15 558 tonnes, showing a sharp 62.7% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 16.8%, with a CAGR of 5.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 9 564 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual decline of 22.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Dominican Republic in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017-2020, Guyana and the United States remained the key partners for desiccated coconut imports by volume, jointly accounting for 85.8% of total flows, while other partners made up the rest.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Dominican Republic in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of desiccated coconuts to the Dominican Republic amounted to 11 528 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a steep 81.5% increase from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 6 351 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 25.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Dominican Republic in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Guyana and the United States remained the primary sources for desiccated coconut imports by value, jointly representing 83.1% of total flows, with other partners comprising the remaining share.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Dominican Republic in value, 2017-2020